đ A Lifelong Champion of Theatre, Education, and Community
Championing the Arts, Empowering the Next Generation
Full Biography â Dennis J. Sykes
đ Leadership in the Arts
Dennis J. Sykes currently serves as Treasurer of Buckham Alley Theatre, overseeing the organizationâs financial health and ensuring expenditures are both reasonable and mission-driven. A former President of the Board of Directors, Dennis has been a guiding force in Flintâs theatre community for decades. His leadership extends to past service on the Flint Community Players board, where he helped shape policy, secure grants, and oversee productions.
đ Champion of Original Works
For 19 of the Playwrightâs Forumâs 21 years, Dennis served as Chairman, soliciting original scripts from across the country, leading selection committees, and producing winning works. His expertise spans workshopping, directing, and producing previously unproduced plays, as well as writing and coordinating grants to bring new stories to the stage.
đ A Career Spanning States and Stages
With over 40 years in theatre, Dennis has performed, directed, and produced in Michigan, Illinois, California, and internationally while studying theatre at the University of Marylandâs Geibelstadt, Germany campus and the University of MichiganâFlint. His credits include work with Dianne McIntyreâs Sounds in Motion, mentorship from tap legend Charles âHoniâ Coles, and roles in Broadway productions such as Big Deal and My One and Only, as well as films like The Cotton Club.
đ Educator and Mentor
Dennis has taught theatre arts to youth in Flint-area schools, Ebenezer Ministries, and The Amistad Program at the Broome Center. As a staff member of A.L. Efficacy Movement Inc., he has inspired aspiring performers to pursue their dreams, blending professional discipline with encouragement and creativity.
đź Entrepreneurship and Community Building
As owner of ANN-LAR Enterprises, Dennis produces and coordinates original and established stage works, provides business consulting, and has offered tax and insurance services. His community leadership includes serving as Project Advisor for the Martin Luther King Business District, where he organized events, selected entertainment, and guided early successes.
đ Artistic Achievements
- Produced playwright and professional director with numerous credits in Genesee County and beyond
- Directed, acted, and managed productions from casting to final curtain
- Served as assistant director for the Back Alley Players comedy improv troupe
- Continues to write original scripts and is currently working on a novel for publication
Legacy
Dennis J. Sykes is more than an artist â he is a builder of opportunities, a mentor to emerging talent, and a guardian of community theatreâs future. His career reflects a rare blend of creative mastery, business acumen, and unwavering dedication to the transformative power of the arts.